Folding box



A. J. GARY. FOLDING Box.

- (No Modem UNITED STATEs` PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT J. GARY, OF DENISON, IOXVA.

FOLDING Box.`

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 572,537, dated December 8, 1896.

khave invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Boxes; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will en able others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in folding boxes, the principle of the same being adapted to be applied to the construction of shipping-crates for eggs, berries, fruit, and the like.

The invention consists of a box having a bottom and side and end strips secured thereto, side pieces hinged to said side strips, end pieces hinged to said end strips, the inner sides of said side pieces having stops near their outer edges and inclined lugs or shoulders having inclined faces adjacent thereto,v and a lid or cover adapted to fit over said side and end pieces when the latter are in their open positions. The hinged sides and ends and also the central partition with which the box may be provided are all adapted to be folded down and the box reduced into a compact form, so that it takes up no more room than it would if the same were knocked down.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l represents a perspective view of my device in its open position. Fig. 2 is a plan view with the lid or cover removed. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section through the box and cover in its open position. Fig. 4 is a similar section of the same with the parts in closed position. Fig. 5 is a cross-section of the same.

Like reference-numerals indicate like parts in the different views.

v To the bottom l of my box are secured end strips 2 2 and side strips 3 4, the strip 4 being slightly wider than the strip 3. I-Iinged to the end strips 2 are the end pieces 5 of the box, the same having braces 6 across their upper outer faces slightly narrower than said end pieces. To the side strip 3 is hinged one of the sides of the box 7, adapted to be folded inwardly, and to the other side strip 4is hinged the other side 8, of slightly narrower diameter Serial No. 591,554. (No model.)

than the side piece 7, the combined widths of the side 8 and the strip 4 being equal to the side 7 and the strip The inner faces of both of the side pieces 7 and Shave secured to them near their outer ends stop-pieces 9 9, which limit the outward movement of the end pieces 5, and lugs or shoulders l0, at a short distance from the strips 9, forming spaces between the stops 9 and said lugs, within which the edges of the end pieces 5 fit. have inclined faces, so that upon the opening of the ends 5 the said ends will slide over said inclined faces, throwing the side pieces 7 and The lugs l0 t S outwardly a slight distance, thereby permitc ting the end pieces to pass into the openings between the outside of said lugs lO and the inside of the stops 9. Hinged to the bottom l of the box may be a partition l1 for dividing the box intoseparate compartments.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have devised a simple and convenient box which can be folded up into compactform and opened whenever desired and held securely in its open position. Fitting over the top of the box is a lid or coverl2,

having side flanges 13 thereon, which may be secured in place in any suitable manner, as by a spring-latch 14.

lVhen the parts are in their open positions, the sides 7 and S are prevented from being folded down by the engagement of the end pieces 5 5 with the inner faces thereof, and the said ends are prevented from being depressed, causing a collapse of the box, by the engagement of the edges thereof with the lugs 10 and the stops 9 9 on said side pieces. To close the box, the cover l2 is removed, and the sides 7 and 8 are pressed outwardly slightly, allowing the ends 5 5 to be folded down past the lugs 10. The partition 1l is irstfolded down and then the ends 5 5 are closed, one of the latter resting upon the said partition, as shown in Fig. 4. The side piece 7 is then folded down on top of the end pieces 5 5,- and finally the side piece 8 is folded down upon the side piece 7, the wider strip 4 pei` mitting said side piece 8, hinged thereto, to rest flat upon the side piece 7. The cover l2 is afterward placed beneath the bottom l.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new isl. The herein-described folding box, made IOC 2. The herein-described folding box, made up of a bottom having side and end strips secured thereto, one of said side strips being slightly Wider than the other, ends hinged to said end strips and adapted to fold inwardly therefrom, sides hinged to said side strips and adapted to fold inwardly therefrom, both of said side pieces and the side strips to which they are secured being unitedly of the same width, stops upon the inside of said side pieces at points near their outer ends, lugs or shoulders having inclined faces secured to said side pieces between which and said stops, the end pieces are adapted to fit and be secured when in their open positions, and a lid or cover adapted to iit over said side and end pieces, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. i

ALBERT J. GARY.

litnessesz THEO. AWALKER, JOHN J. WIELAND. 

